Picture Courtesy of Jim Kuntz

Picture Courtesy of Jim Kuntz

Picture Courtesy of Jim Kuntz

Picture Courtesy of Jim Kuntz

Front of Monument:
IN MEMORY OF THOSE BRAVE MEN OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY WHO DIED IN THE WAR TO SAVE THE UNION, 1861-1865.

East Side: VICKSBURG

West Side: GETTYSBURG

South Side: SHILOH

Description of Man:
Full-length figure of a dismounted Union cavalry officer with head bowed in grief for his fallen comrades. His coat is draped over his shoulders and he leans on his sword which is held in his proper left hand. His proper right hand rests on his hip. The sculpture rests atop a granite base that is adorned on the north side with a relief depicting a fierce battle scene. On the other sides of the base are the names of major battles in which Champaign County soldiers fought.

Further Info on Monument:
In the fall of 1865, the Champaign County Civil War Soldiers Monument Association met with artist Thomas Dow Jones to discuss plans for a monument. In 1867, the association contracted with Messrs. Rackel and Moser of Columbus to build the granite base and pedestal for the monument. The following year, Rackel and Moser presented their own, alternative, design for the monument, which was placed on display in downtown Urbana. Although there is no further mention of either Jones or Rackel/Moser in the town records, it is widely believed that Jones was ultimately selected to design the monument, since the final artwork resembles his original design proposal. The only exception is that Jones suggested a round pedestal base as opposed to the nearly square pedestal which was ultimately constructed.

On Sept. 4, 1870, the base was installed by Moser & Company of Columbus at a cost of $2,500. In 1870, the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate passed a resolution granting permission for a Confederate cannon to be donated to the Champaign County Soldiers Monument Association. The captured Confederate cannon was originally displayed in front of the Citizens National Bank, but was later moved to Monument Square, and installed next to the newly constructed base. Later, the cannon was melted down and used to fabricate the statue of the cavalry officer featured in "Man on the Monument." The cavalry officer was installed the following year at a cost of over $1,100. Funds were raised through public subscription. A plaque, possibly zinc, indicates that the monument was rededicated in 1972. The monument was maintained by the Daughters of the American Revolution for several years in the early 1900s. IAS files include excerpts from "The History of Champaign County," vol. 1, by Evan P. Middleton, "The History of Champaign County, Ohio," by J. W. Ogden, (Chicago: W. H. Beers, 1881) and a citation to the Champaign Democrat, Dec. 14, 1871.

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